Improvement in shelf steps or brackets



J. 0. THOMAS, Shelf Step 0r Bracket.

No. 201,721, Patentgd March 26,1878.

ATTORNEYS.

I I MPETERS PHOTO LTHUGRA WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH G. THOMAS, OF MILROY, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHELF- STE PS OR BRACKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 201,721, dated March26, 1878 application filed September 14, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH O. THOMAS, of Milroy, in the county of Bushand State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement inShelf Steps or Brackets, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a front view of a shelfwith my improved sliding step or bracket. Fig. 2 is a sectional sideelevation of the step, showing the same pushed into the upright of theshelving. Figs. 3 and 4. are a horizontal section and a side view of thestep, showing it drawn out for use; and Fig. 5 is a vertical transversesection of the step on line w m, Fig. 3, showing connection with frontcasting.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to an improved shelf step or bracket, which is tobe used as a substitute for the old-style step-ladder in business-rooms,860. The step is always in place when needed, drawn quickly out for use,and

pushed back out of the way when not in use.

The step may also be used as a substitute 7 for brackets inshow-windows, &c., for the display or support of articles, or for thesupport of temporary shelving, and for other purposes.

The invention consists of the combination of the mortised uprightbetween shelving or drawers with a sliding and turning step, thatisretained, when drawn out, by a recessed shaft and recessed casting inhorizontal position for use, or in vertical position when pushed backinto the mortise of the upright.

Referring to the drawing, A represents an upright, pillar, or othersupport between shelving or drawers, or on show-windows, which upright,&c., is provided with a vertical guide mortise, a, that is extendedbackward, so as to form first an angular recess, a and then a roundsocket-hole,-a in which the shaft 1) of the shelf-step O is guided.

The mortise a serves to store the step 0 when the same is pushed in,while the socketextension a serves to guide and direct the step whenbeing drawn out or pushed back, also to give strength and support whenthe step is drawn out for use and the weight of a person rests thereon.

An angular rear part, b, of the step D fits into the extension recess aof the mortise when the step is pushed-in, to be out of the way, asshown in Fig. 2. The shaft 72 is provided with a shoulder, d, forpreventing the shaft from being withdrawn too far when preparing thestep for use.

A stop, d of the shoulder d enters side recesses d of a front casting,B, so as to prevent the step, when the same is drawn out and turned,from turning beyond the vertical position in which the step is shoved inor beyond the horizontal position in which the step is used.

The casting B is attached by face flanges or extensions 6 to theupright, and provided with a vertical guide-slot, e, for the step, alateral mortise, 6 serving to receive the angular part b of the step,when the same is drawn, turned,

and then pushed back. The angular part b is equal in width to thethickness of the upright, so as not to project beyond the same. Thecasting B thus supports the step firmly and rigidly in position for use,and admits the ready release of the step from the recess of the casting,and the turning and pushing back of the same after use.

The step has a cap, 0, fastened to its front end, for hiding the slotand recess of the casting when the step is not in use, the cap having abutton or knot, f, by which the step is readily manipulated.

By arranging a number of steps in the uprights of shelves, &c., any partof the same may be reached with great facility without the use of thecumbrous step-ladder, the step being pushed back again after use, so asto present no unsightly appearance, as only the closing cap and thebutton are visible.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patcut- 1. The combination, with the mortised upright orother support of shelves, &c., of a sliding and turning step or bracketthat may be drawn out for use as a step orsupport, or pushed back out ofthe way, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. 2. The combination of a mortised upright, A, having slotted andrecessed front casting 4. The combination of mortised uprightA I andcasting B, having center slot and side recesses W, with the shelf 0,having shaft 1), with shoulder d and stop d, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the mortised upright A and casting B, havinglateral recess, With shelf 0, having rear part b and shaft 1), tosupport the step in horizontal position for use, substantially asspecified.

JOSEPH G. THOMAS. Witnesses:

JAMES COREY, SAML. H. RILEY.

